Abstract
In this present study, the quality of municipal wastewater used for irrigation of spinach was investigated for its heavy metal build-up. The municipal wastewater used for irrigation and the irrigated spinach samples were collected and analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations. The results indicate that the municipal wastewater used was contaminated with copper (1.90 mg/l), lead (0.09 mg/l) and iron (25 mg/l) and the municipal-irrigated spinach was contaminated with manganese (95 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03 mg/kg). The results of these investigations were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) heavy metal standards for irrigation water quality and permissible levels of metals in food and water. It revealed that the heavy metal concentrations were above the recommended threshold limits. High concentrations of these metals are very detrimental to the health of the inhabitants and crop consumers. Regular monitoring for safe practice is strongly recommended in order to avert terminal diseases in the area. Key words: Domestic wastewater, irrigation, heavy metals, soil, vegetables.
Highlights
Agriculture uses about 70% of water withdrawals, it is expected that in times and regions of water scarcity, farmers would turn to domestic or urban waste water as a water source (FAO, 2010)
The presence of these substances are harmful to human health because of the non biodegradable nature of heavy metals and their potential to accumulate in different parts of the body (Lawal and Audu, 2011; Arora et al, 2008)
This study aimed at quantifying the content and quality of heavy metals in domestic wastewater used for irrigation of vegetables in Soje, in the soil and edible part of spinach
Summary
Agriculture uses about 70% of water withdrawals, it is expected that in times and regions of water scarcity, farmers would turn to domestic or urban waste water as a water source (FAO, 2010). Farmers use wastewater to irrigate their crops This wastewater contains large amount of organic materials, some inorganic elements and/or substantial amount of toxic heavy metals (Zavadil, 2009; Arora et al, 2008; Lone et al, 2003), non essential heavy metals which when present in large amount could be transferred to animal and human beings through food chain (Lone et al2003). Toxic metals may be absorbed by vegetables through several processes and enter the food chain at high concentrations which are capable
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